Air Force Missileers The Quarterly Newsletter of the Association of Air Force Missileers Volume 26, Number 2 “Advocates for Missileers” June 2018

Welcome to the 90 MW 1 Cheyenne in October 2 The Missile Badge - 60 Years 3 New Series - My Journey in Missiles 5 Quebec-01 Update 11 Ohio History Day Winners, MiMi Fees 12 Hastings UFO Update, A Word From AAFM 13 Taps for Missileers, Book Review, RV Update, Panel Request 14 New Members Page 15 Donations Pages 16 Member Application Inside Back Cover Reunions and Meetings Back Cover 2018 National Meeting Registration - Inside Front Cover

The Mission of the Association of Air Force Missileers - - Preserving the Heritage of Air Force Missiles and the people involved with them - Recognizing Outstanding Missileers - Keeping Missileers Informed - Encouraging Meetings and Reunions - Providing a Central Point of Contact for Missileers AAFM Thirteenth National Meeting, Cheyenne, WY, 9-14 October 2018 Celebrating the 25th Anniversary for AAFM Register On-Line, and use a Credit Card, at http://afmissileers.org on the Reunions and Meetings Page Registration - You must register using the form below no later than 8 September 2018. SORRY - NO WALK-INS Reservations - Make your hotel reservations directly with the Little America Hotel, and ensure you say you are with Air Force Missileers. Rate is $93, including breakfast for two each morning. You must make reservations before 5 September 2018. Call 307-775-8400 or 800-235-6396. Not Staying at the Hotel? - If you are staying in a motor home, other hotel or with friends, or live in the area, you can attend any or all of the events. Complete the reservation form for the events you would like to attend. Hospitality Suite - Open every day when no other activities are scheduled, with snacks and refreshments. Registration fee covers suite operation and mementos. Attire - Casual dress for all events. Banquet business casual (open collar shirts, coats optional, no jeans) Refunds - Registration fees can only be refunded if you cancel by 1 September 2018. Inform us immediately if you have to cancel. Special Needs - Let us know of any special diet needs, handicapped access, etc. Schedule of Events - Tuesday, 9 October - 0830 - AAFM Board of Directors Meeting and Dinner Wednesday, 10 October - 1300 - Registration, Hospitality Suite open 1800 - Welcome Reception - Stand up buffet and pay as you go bar, $29 per person. Thursday, 11 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0830 - Depart hotel for tour of FE Warren AFB - lunch on base - $37 for bus and Santa Maria BBQ lunch. 1800 - Dinner at the hotel, Italian Buffet - $30 per person. Friday, 12 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0830 - Depart hotel for Tour of Cheyenne attractions, including Old West Museum, Botanic Gardens, Terry Bison Ranch and the Depot Museum, lunch at the Depot Museum. Return to hotel at 1630, $60 per person. 1800 - Dinner at the hotel - Western Buffet - $30 per person Saturday, 13 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0900 - General Membership Meeting 1100 - Board of Directors meeting - open to all. Lunch on your own. 1200 - Optional Tour - $25 per person - Q-01 Missile Alert Facility State Museum, and 3901 SMES Reunion Meeting at hotel. 1800 - AAFM Banquet with featured speaker and special program. - $37 per person, choice of prime rib or chicken Sunday, 14 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate), Depart hotel Registration Form - 2018 National Meeting Mail with check to AAFM, PO Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO 80424 Number Amount Name______Registration fee - $15 each ______Address______Reception Buffet - $29 each ______City, State, Zip______Thursday Tour - $37 each ______Phone______Number Attending______Thursday dinner - $30 each ______Spouse/Guest Name______Friday Tour - $60 each ______Arrive______Depart______Lunch - Ham_____ Chicken_____ Friday Dinner, $30 ______Special Requirements______Optional Saturday Tour - $25 ______(Enter names as preferred on name tags) Banquet - $37 each ______Prime Rib ____ Chicken____ 556 SMS Reunion ____ 3901 SMES Reunion ____ Total Amount ______

For Base Tour For Active/Retired Military or spouse with ID card - Full name and SSN for each Member______SSN ______Guest______SSN ______For those without active/retired ID cards, Full Name, State Driver’s License No and last four digits of SSN Member______DL No______State______SSN Last Four______DOB_____ Guest ______DL No ______State ______SSN Last Four ______DOB_____ 1 Air Force Missileers The Quarterly Newsletter of the Association of Air Force Missileers Volume 26, Number 2 “Advocates for Missileers” June 2018

Left, Col Stacy Jo Huser, Commander, 90 MW

Right, the 90 MW Emblem Welcome to the 90th Missile Wing - By Col. Stacy Jo Huser, 90th Missile Wing Commander and AAFM Mbr No A2243 On behalf of the Mighty Ninety, I would like to welcome the Association of Air Force Missileers to F. E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB), home of the missileer! The Mighty Ninety is tasked with completing one of the highest priority missions in the Department of Defense: Defend America with the world’s premier combat-ready intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to host you and look forward to showcasing our ICBM mission to you on Thursday, 11 October! F. E. Warren AFB boasts a rich history spanning over 150 years, providing the front line of defense for America and its allies. Cheyenne and the base were both established in 1867 to help ensure the progress of the transcontinental railroad. Originally named Fort D. A. Russell, the name of the base changed in 1930 to Fort Francis E. Warren to honor Wyoming’s territorial governor, first state senator, and American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. In 1949, the fort became a base and was renamed Francis E. Warren AFB. Warren has the distinction of being the Air Force’s oldest continuously active installation. The base and the community thrive in a spirit of friendship and cooperation built over these past 150 years. During the early years of the post, more than 220 red brick buildings were constructed. Many of the early brick buildings were stables that housed nearly 20,000 horses and mules. All of these brick buildings remain in use today. The base maintains the historic exterior of each building with appropriate interior modifications for today’s living and working environment. Because of the lasting integrity of the base’s historic architecture and setting, the central core of the base was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and the base was designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1958, Warren housed 24 Atlas missile sites under Strategic Air Command (SAC). While it was not the first designated missile wing, Warren became the first fully operational missile wing in the command. In 1960, the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS) was declared the first fully operational ICBM squadron. These firsts have given Warren the title “Home of the Missileer”. Only two years later, the new Minuteman replaced the Atlas, and on 1 July 1963, the 90th Strategic Missile Wing (SMW) was activated. During the early 1970s, the SAC ICBM Force Modernization Program began replacing Minuteman I with Minuteman III missiles. In November 1973, the 400 SMS marked the transition by becoming the first all Minuteman III squadron at Warren. The 90 SMW was selected to base the Peacekeeper missile in 1975. Warren was home to the Peacekeeper missile from 1986 to 2005, when deactivation was completed. Today, the Mighty Ninety operates approximately 150 Minuteman III launch facilities on full alert 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. These missiles are deployed over a 9,600 square-mile area spread across three states: eastern 2 Surveillance and Reconnaissance), and casualty evacuation. AAFM Newsletter They also provide airlift for Tactical Response Forces Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 for ICBM launch facility denial, recapture and convoy Wyoming, western Nebraska, and northern Colorado. The operations. base also hosts 20th Air Force (20 AF), whose mission is to During your visit, your tour will stop by the Air prepare the Nation’s ICBM force to execute safe, secure, and Force’s ICBM Heritage Museum, giving you a closer look at effective nuclear strike operations and support worldwide our proud ICBM history. The museum is housed in the first Combatant Command requirements. The base employs permanent hospital built on base, which is the oldest non- about 3,300 military and 900 civilian employees; with the house building and one of several hundred buildings listed wing employing about 3,600 of those personnel. Family on the National Register. Exhibits also offer a unique look members add about 5,500 people to the local population. at how our base has grown and changed over the years. A About 5,000 military retirees reside in the area as well. collection of unique items are available at the gift shop for Our Mighty Ninety missileers fall under the 90th purchase. Operations Group, which has command and control of all It is an honor to serve in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where 15 missile alert facilities. Our operators are distributed we are proud of our close relationship with the community. throughout three squadrons - the 319th, 320th, and 321st Cheyenne and the surrounding communities offer something Missile Squadrons. The operators, maintainers, pilots, for everyone. Every July the city hosts Cheyenne Frontier security forces, facility managers, chefs, and support Days, “The Daddy of ‘Em All,” the country’s largest outdoor personnel work together daily with the rest of the wing to rodeo, in conjunction with Fort D. A. Russell Days, Warren’s accomplish the significant mission of protecting America open house. Cheyenne Frontier Days draws in fans and rodeo with nuclear deterrence. participants from all over the country. I am extremely The 90th Maintenance Group provides world-class proud of each Airman and civilian who support the mission maintenance across the entire installation. It maintains of the 90 MW and keep it running smoothly every minute of around 200 specialized maintenance vehicles and thousands every day. We are excited to host you here in October and I of mission-specific pieces of equipment, ensuring a safe, look forward to meeting you. We sincerely hope you enjoy secure, and effective ICBM force for the nation’s security your visit to F. E. Warren Air Force Base! and defense. The 90th Security Forces Group provides command October at Cheyenne and Warren and control for all personnel directly responsible for active When we gather in Cheyenne 9-14 October, at the defense of the weapons storage area, all missile alert facilities Little America Resort and Hotel, you will have an excellent and launch facilities. It also provides law enforcement for opportunity to reacquaint yourself with FE Warren AFB and the base, and manages the force protection, combat arms the city of Cheyenne. In addition, you will hear some out- training, resource protection, and pass and identification standing speakers and be entertained by a band formed by programs for Warren. and made up partly by Missileers, Ground Zero.” Also important to mission success is the 90th Col Huser and Maj Gen Stoss, the 20th Air Force Mission Support Group. It supports the 90th Missile commander, are going all out to support our visit. On Wing, 20 AF, and other hosted units with base engineering, Thursday, Col Huser will welcome us with a mission brief, communications, logistics, contracting, food services, followed by tours of operations, maintenance and support billeting, recreational programs, central base administration, activities, and we will enjoy a lunch of Santa Maria BBQ and personnel services for all base employees and their prepared by Warren’s senior noncommissioned officers. families. For those who join us on the city tour on Friday, you Finally, the 90th Medical Group provides will see the new Botanic Gardens, the Old West Museum, exceptional health and preventative care to all beneficiaries. Terry Bison Ranch and have lunch and tour the Depot Mu- Services include family practice, flight medicine and PRAP, seum. On Friday night, Ground Zero will entertain us with pediatrics, and much more in order to keep the Mighty some of the old Groobers songs as well as music for danc- Ninety and our families healthy. ing. Another group vital to our mission is the 582nd Saturday’s General Membership Meeting will fea- Helicopter Group, a direct reporting unit to 20 AF and ture a number of speakers, and a senior Air Force leader will headquarters for all helicopter squadrons at Air Force join us for the banquet that evening. As usual, we will invite Global Strike Command ICBM bases. The 37th Helicopter a number of young enlisted members and officers and their Squadron at Warren falls under this group and provides spouses to join us at the banquet as our guests - it is always integrated helicopter support to 90th Missile Wing nuclear great to have the opportunity to have some interchange be- security operations. The squadron operates a fleet of 8 tween today’s missilees and our members. UH-1N helicopters to execute armed escort, air assault, air Saturday afternoon will include the 3901st Strategic interdiction, C2ISR (Command and Control, Intelligence, Missile Evaluation Squadron reunion. 3 of an official proposal to create a badge for missileers is a AAFM Newsletter 2-page memo, dated 25 September 1956, from 1st Lt Rich- Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 ard T. Boverie (an early AAFM Member) of the 11th Tactical Missile Squadron (USAFE), one of United States Air Force Europe Matador units. The “tactical missile” designation had replaced the “pilotless bomber” title earlier. On 28 April 1958, Gen White directed that, no later than 1 June 1958, “a distinctive badge for wear by missile- men will be designed and available for issue or purchase by those individuals authorized to wear the badge.” An Ad Hoc Committee was formed that day, and quickly established some strict guidelines: “The AF wants the design not to in- clude wings of any type. The badge is to be of silver (no enamel). It is to be simple, yet tell the story of the missile. The Missile Badge – 60 Years – by Col (Ret) Charlie Simpson, AAFM Executive Director It should be no larger than the pilot wings and some smaller The very first recipients of our badge were Col Wil- designs are requested.” liam C. Erlenbusch, commander of the 864th Strategic Mis- On 23 May 1958, Air Force Regulation (AFR) 35-5, sile Squadron (SMS), the Strategic Air Command (SAC) Ju- Guided Missile Insignia, was published. It stated that “The piter training squadron, and MSgt Jake Kindsfather, technical Guided Missile Insignia has been established to recognize NCO of operations in the 4504th Tactical Missile Training and identify those individuals within the Air Force who, by Squadron, Tactical Air Command’s Matador training unit. virtue of their job assignment and attainment of command, The two were selected by their commands as “representative operational or technical skills, have a direct, distinctive, of airmen and officer missile specialists.” Air Force Chief of and important role in the development, maintenance, and/ Staff General Thomas White pinned on their new badges in or operation of guided missiles.” Called the “Guided Mis- a brief ceremony at the Pentagon in July, 1958. Apparently, sile Insignia,” it was authorized for those individuals who, some took exception to the fact that both of these individuals for 3 months or longer, performed duty in or were directly were from training units rather than combat units because associated with weapons that included the Bomarc, Goose, another supposed “first” ceremony took place on 26 Sep- Mace, Matador, Snark, Jupiter, Thor, Atlas, Titan, and Min- tember 1958, at Dallas, TX, during which “The newly au- uteman missile systems. Yes, Minuteman! The initial missile thorized missile badge was presented to the Air Force’s first badge regulation published in 1958 listed the Minuteman, operational strategic missilemen by Maj Gen David Wade, even though the first Minuteman I missile would not assume at the Air Force Association’s Space Age Luncheon.” Capt strategic alert status until late 1962. Much later, the Gryphon Walter A. Loughridge and MSgt James J. Mustaine, both of ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM) and MX/Peace- the 576 SMS were the recipients. Another early recipient of keeper weapon systems would also make the list. the Air Force’s newest insignia was the comic strip character The design selected was attributed to Fred W. Vetter, Steve Canyon! Mass issues soon followed. Jr., who retired as a brigadier general in 1970. The generic It took several years to develop the distinctive badge, missile was used so that no particular missile in the inven- and in the 60 years the badge has been around, there have tory would be represented. The vertical bands beside and been many changes. We thank AAFM Life Member Maj beneath the missile portray vapor trails created by a missile (Ret) Greg Ogletree for his superb history, which AAFM of- during flight, a reminder of the lightning-quick speed with fers in our collection of missile history documents. Greg’s which it strikes the enemy. The horizontal “tracking” lines history was the basis for this article – he detailed the entire darken the background to represent the blackness of space, history of the development and the changes to the badge in his 28 page “brief” history. We won’t go into all the detail about changes in who was authorized the badge, how long it took to earn various levels or other changes – you can order Greg’s history from our Store/Donations area if you want to read the whole story. The first tactical missile unit, the 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron (Light), was activated in 1951. There was much talk that a special mark of recognition was warranted, and there are even rumors that some of these sentiments ap- peared in Air Force Times during the early and mid-1950s. Mrs. William Erlenbusch, Gen Lord and the Badge Presented to The earliest surviving record (there may have been others) Col Erlenbusch in 1958 4 longer all male, with women now in missile maintenance on AAFM Newsletter Titan II crews. The “Missileman Badge” became just “Mis- Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 sile Badge” with the three levels now the “Basic Missile Badge, Senior Missile Badge and Master Missile Badge.” A few years later, the time required to earn the star and the wreath changed to 5 years for the senior badge and 10 years for the master badge, and a tour of duty in a guided missile unit became mandatory for the advanced-level badges. The 5 year requirement was short lived, since it meant one who spent a “normal” four year controlled tour wouldn’t earn the star, so that requirement was changed back to 3 years and was made retroactive. The 10-year criteria would not be changed until 1993. Missile Badge with Operations Designator and From the beginning, there had always been a fac- the Space and Missile Badge tion who thought that the badge should only be awarded to and the star cluster (four stars, two on either side of the mis- missile launch crews, or operators. Others, including the sile) is indicative of both the aerospace role assigned to the author, were of the strong opinion that the badge was for Air Force and the traditional stars and stripes associated with all Missileers – not just operators. In 1986, a process was our democracy. The hourglass shape signifies the weapon’s started to develop a modification to the badge to provide a round-the-clock readiness. unique version for operators, but it was 1988 before the new Over the next few years, there were many discus- badge was ready for issue. Initially referred to as the “Mis- sions and changes in guidance about “who gets to wear the sile Operator Badge,” the new badge sported a large wreath badge.” Changes made issue more restrictive for support and on either side of the old badge. This wreath was called the staff personnel above the Air Division level. On 24 March “Operations Designator,” and the three levels were called 1959, a change to the regulation stated: “The intent is to au- the “Missile Badge with Operations Designator, Senior Mis- thorize the wearing of the insignia by those personnel who sile Badge with Operations Designator and Master Missile contribute directly to the attainment of a guided missile ca- Badge with Operations Designator.” The badge without the pability ....” Revisions followed shortly that lengthened the large wreath, worn by those not in missile operations, even- minimum duty period from 3 to 6 months and expanded the tually became known the “Missile Maintenance Badge,” definition of “Guided Missile Unit” to include space systems, with the previous three levels. For a period, the “Master and included a list of Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs) Missile Badge with Operations Designator” became the specifically excluded from eligibility for the badge. One “Command Missile Badge” but reverted back to “Master” revision deleted research and development, testing, training, in 1996. The minimum period of qualifying service for the staff, logistics, and planning specialties from consideration, senior and master badges changed a few times over these and another incorporated Guided Aircraft Missiles (GAMs) same years. and Guided Aircraft Rockets (GARs) into the list of eligible In 1993, General Merrill A. McPeak, the CSAF, di- weapon systems. This revision reinstated development and rected a complete review of all specialty badges, with a goal test personnel, and allowed award of the badge to those in of standardizing the wear of badges for all service members. staff positions for 18 months if a course at a guided missile One result was the original Space Badge (worn above the rib- school had been completed. bons) would gradually replace the missile badge on the uni- The 26 December 1963 revision changed the name form of active duty Missileers and was renamed the “Space/ of the badge to the “Missileman Badge’’ and established the Missile Badge.” The plan was that all future Missileers basic badge (the original badge), “Senior Missileman Badge would earn this new badge, but those who already wore one and Master Missileman Badge” (senior with the star at the of the various versions of the missile badge could continue top, master with the star and wreath). It took a while to re- solve who was authorized the two new levels – at first only combat crew time counted (3 years for Senior and 7 for Mas- ter) but after a few months, the regulation was changed to in- clude all “Missilemen” as eligible for the star and the wreath. A 1974 revision allowed missile combat crew members to wear the badge after completing training rather than after 6 months of duty. This revision introduced a form to apply for the badge and the next revision, in 1977, deleted the require- ment for publication of special orders to award the badge. By the late 1970s, the missile career field was no The Space Badge 5 AAFM Newsletter My Journey in Missiles – by Col (Ret) Charlie Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 Simpson, AAFM Executive Director We’ve done a couple of series that each resulted in a large number of personal stories from members and other Missileers, “How I Got Into Missiles” and “What I Did After Missiles.” It is time for another series that you can contribute to – the story of your own personal journey as an Air Force Missileer. Whether you served a full career as a Missileer All Six Versions of the Missile Badges as an operator, maintainer or in some other specialty, or your Air Force career led you into other areas or you only served for an extended period. However, when Gen McPeak retired a single tour of duty as a young officer or enlisted member, before some of the new policies were fully implemented, the we want to hear your story. We start this issue with stories new Chief of Staff, Gen Ronald R. Fogleman, reversed many from three of your AAFM Board of Directors – we know of his predecessor’s policies and said, basically, that if an that these tales will energize many of you to send in your individual earned a badge, it could be worn for the remain- own journey. der of his or her career, and he later officially reinstated the My Own Journey missile badge for new Missileers. My own tale is of most of my 30 years spent as In 2005, as part of the integration of the missile force a Missileer, but my career didn’t start that way. I entered into the space force, the Missile Badge with Operations Des- active duty Thanksgiving Weekend, 1959, assigned to ignator was replaced by the new Space Badge. Between 31 Laurence G. Hanscom Field, MA, as a mechanical engineer, October 2005 and 6 June 2008, missile crew members (mis- but when I processed into the 6520th Test Group (TG), an sile operations officers) were issued the new “space wings” organization tasked with testing electronic and geophysical or “spings” instead of the missile badge. The only people projects in a wide variety of aircraft, I was told I would be still allowed to wear the missile badge with operations des- an aircraft maintenance officer. About a year later, I saw ignator were those officers who had moved to other career an Air Force Times article asking for volunteers for duty in fields and were therefore not eligible to wear the new Space the new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), the Atlas Badge. Wear of the new Space Badge was governed by a and the Titan I. That looked like a better career path for a complex certification and training program that required cer- young non-flying officer (most of the officers in the6520 tain levels of accomplishment before an operator could wear TG had wings on their uniforms) so I applied. A few weeks the basic, senior or command Space Badge. Maintenance later, Gen Bernard Schriever, the commander of Air Force personnel continued to earn and wear the Missile Mainte- Systems Command, came to Hanscom to talk to about 100 nance Badge. lieutenants, most engineers and scientist, and most planning On 6 June 2008, at a ceremony at the National Mu- to leave the Air Force. We met in the Officers Club and he seum of the Air Force, the Secretary of the Air Force, Mi- asked each one of us, “What job can I give you that will chael Wynne, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen keep you in the Air Force?” I was one of a very few with an Michael Moseley, announced the return of the Missile Badge answer, and I told him I already had applied for missiles. He with Operations Designator for missile crew members and smiled and said, “Great, Lieutenant.” In September, 1961, other missile operations personnel. In the ceremony, a group my wife Carol and I headed to Sheppard AFB, TX, to begin of officers representing each of the missile wings and other missile training. specialized organizations were presented with the “return- Four and a half months at Sheppard included ing” badge. At the same time, missile wings were renamed almost three months of missile fundamentals, followed by “Missile Wings” to replace the “Space Wing” designation five weeks of Titan I training. Most of my classmates were that had been used for several years. At the end of 2011, headed for Atlas, and the other members of my Titan class those who completed missile operations training were only were going to be crew members, either at Mountain Home awarded the missile badge with operations designator. The AFB, ID, with me, or to another Titan I base. I was the “new Space Badge” now only goes to Space Professionals only maintenance officer in the class, and as a fairly new first who complete the required space courses. lieutenant, the junior member. In February, 1962, Carol and You may have noted that throughout this article, we I made our way to the new assignment in the Idaho desert. never used the term “Pocket Rocket.” This nickname for our When I arrived, the unit had no sites and no missiles – the badge has been around a long time – we called it that early contractor would turn over our system to us a few weeks in my missile career, which began in 1961. If any of you later. From mid-February 1962 until May 1965, I served as knows the origin of the term, let AAFM know – that is a part the squadron Job Control Officer, then, after returning from of our history that we need to document. Squadron Officers School (SOS) in January 1965, also as the site maintenance officer for C-Site. When I arrived back 6 was not funded. During training for the 1970 competition, I AAFM Newsletter was selected for duty as the senior Minuteman II operations Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 evaluator in the 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation at the 569th Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS) in January, Squadron (SMES), and also pinned my Major’s leaves on 1 the squadron was well on the way to deactivation, with April 1970. about half of the missiles already removed. In early 1965, A month after the competition, we departed North Strategic Air Command (SAC) personnel teams visited the Dakota after five years and five days of a “four year” crew closing missile units, and talked to us about our preferences assignment and drove to Vandenberg. Over the next three for future assignments. I told SAC I wanted to stay in years, I would travel to at least six missile wings every six missile maintenance at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, in Titan months as part of the 3901 SMES evaluation team, spending II, in the new wing there. Instead, I received orders to Grand almost two weeks at each wing. I went to five of the six Forks AFB, ND, to become a member of the newest and last Minuteman wings and one Titan II wing for each six months. Minuteman wing, the 321st Strategic Missile Wing (SMW). The first year, I was the senior of two Minuteman II crew I began my missile career in a unit that was just opening as evaluators, with Walt Skrainy as my partner. The second one of the first members of the unit, and would do the same and third year, I was the chief of the Minuteman Operations for my second missile tour. In late May, Carol, son Steve, Evaluation branch, overseeing the seven crew evaluators for daughter Deb and I started a two week long leave on the Minuteman I, II and III. In the spring of 1973, I was called drive to North Dakota. by a friend at SAC Ballistic Missile Evaluation (BME) at When I arrived in the 321 SMW, the situation was Offutt AFB, NE, and offered a job, so the family headed east similar to that when I arrived at Mountain Home – the sites at the end of May, 1973. were under construction and the wing had no operational BME, a small, selectively manned organization missiles. I was initially assigned to the 446 SMS as a crew assigned directly to the SAC Chief of Staff, was responsible commander, but in July, SAC and the Air Force decided for developing the Single Integrated Operational Plan missile we would change to a three man crew system, so I was performance factors used in war planning. My first year, I reassigned to the 447 SMS as an Alternate Missile Combat was the senior Accuracy Evaluator, tasked with determining Crew Commander (AMCCC). My crew commander was the accuracy (circular error probable) for Minuteman I, II Capt Joe Lear, a navigator who had served as an Atlas F and III, and Titan II. In the summer of 1974, I replaced John crew commander at Shilling AFB, KS, and our deputy was Fortenbury as Chief, Evaluation Division, overseeing the 1st Lt Gary Grim, with crew duty at Forbes AFB, KS, in eight officers, two Chiefs and two civilians that developed Atlas E. We were the 11th crew formed in the wing, so the annual reports for the Commander in Chief, SAC, for we were designated as an instructor crew even before we approval by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs for use in went to training at Chanute AFB, IL, and Vandenberg AFB, missile war planning. I pinned on Lieutenant Colonel on CA. We completed training in mid-December, and had our 1 April 1976, and was selected for Air War College the first alert the week before Christmas, 1965, at one ofthe following year. two launch control centers that had been turned over to the I joined Ed Bender, Charlie Belt, Bill Fedor, Tony wing. We spent a year instructing new crews in the local Hogan and Oscar Lindahl as the Missileers in a class of 263. upgrade program. In January 1967, Joe (now a Major) and There were a handful of other students who had served a I were selected for Senior Standardization and Evaluation missile tour early but had taken other Air Force career paths. Crew duty, with Capt Dick Couzins as our deputy, with Gary About a week before graduation in May 1978, then Col Ralph upgraded to AMCCC. In November 1968, SAC changed Spraker, commander of the 44 SMW at Ellsworth AFB, SD, back to a two man crew force, so I became an Evaluator crew told me he was glad I was heading for his wing, where the commander. Over the next year and a half, I would compete missile career advisors, including Ted Rinebarger, said I had in the 1969 and 1970 SAC Missile Combat Competitions. the best shot at becoming a squadron commander. In 1969, our crew was part of the twelve man team that When we drove onto Ellsworth in early June, I told brought the Blanchard Trophy home to Grand Forks. In Carol I needed to stop by and tell my new boss, the Deputy 1970, we locked up last place in every category. I spent Commander for Operations (DO), Col Meyer Garber, that all the other time as a crew commander in the Evaluation I was there and would be at work Monday. Col Garber Division. Since I was always either an instructor, evaluator welcomed me (I was dressed in tennis shorts and golf shirt) or competitor, I only pulled 115 alerts in the four and a half and said that we needed to talk to the new wing commander, years I was combat ready – far short of what most crew Col Howard Tarleton, right then. We walked in to his office, members accomplished. During the graduation ceremony I saluted, and Col Tarleton said, “Charlie, can you take for the first Minuteman Missile Education Program class in command of the 68 SMS Monday morning?” Ellsworth September 1969, the commander of Air University told me was definitely the “best shot” at getting a command slot. that my application for Education with Industry would be I commanded the squadron for a little less than two years, delayed for consideration in 1970, since the 1969 program and in February 1980, shortly after being told I was a 7 could find was an Air Division slot at Minot AFB, ND, and I AAFM Newsletter replied, “I hear Minot has a great golf course.” Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 My last seventeen months were in the 57th Air colonel selectee, became the Assistant DO. For a short Division at Minot. I arrived just as the force structure time between Col Garber’s departure and Col Tom Logan’s changed to make the Air Division the host unit on all dual arrival, I was the acting DO, and I pinned on my eagles on wing SAC bases, and I became the 57 AD Chief of Staff, 1 September 1980. In May 1981, Col Dick Schoonmaker, the senior colonel responsible for all base support activities, the 44 SMW commander, told me I would become the Base overseeing the 91 CSG and all of the other base units and Commander in a few days – I would command the 44th agencies supporting the missile and bomb wings at Minot. My Combat Support Group (CSG) and support the 44 SMW, the boss, Brig Gen Ray O’Mara, and the two wing commanders, 28th Bomb Wing and the other base units. In January 1983, concerned themselves with the nuclear mission of the two Maj Terry Schwalier, from Air Force Colonel Assignments, wings, and I spent my time with the support organizations called and offered me the job as Base Commander/487 and working with the Minot community – a great way to end CSG Commander at Comiso Air Station, Sicily. I asked a 30 year career as a Missileer. him what Comiso was, and he said, “Your job will be to I wanted to fly airplanes… - by Maj Gen (Ret) Bob Parker, build a new ground launched cruise missile (GLCM) base AAFM Board Member and AAFM MbrNo A0145, San Antonio, TX there.” I talked the assignment over with Col Joe Stone, In my story for the “How I got to be a Missileer” my boss and the 44 SMW commander, then with Carol to series, I told how, during my first few weeks in the Air Force, ensure she would agree for me to leave her for a year for an I realized that I did not want to be an Administrative officer unaccompanied assignment, and relinquished command of and was told by Personnel that I was not qualified for any- the 44 CSG in March 1983. thing else in the Air Force, so I volunteered for missiles. My On 30 April 1983, after a week at Ramstein AB, Minot tour may have been one of the shortest in history, July Germany, getting updated on US Air Force in Europe and to September 1963. My new orders directed me to White- North Atlantic Treaty Organization policies and procedures, man AFB, MO, with a Temporary Duty (TDY) enroute to I walked onto a bombed out World War II Italian/German the Air Training Command (ATC) school house at Chanute. fighter base that had not been touched since the 1944 In those days, the basic missile operation, electron- invasion of Sicily. A few days later, I was joined by about ics, hydraulics, and communications were taught by ATC be- 500 officers and enlisted members, some permanent party fore we went to the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron and some on extended temporary duty, tasked with getting (CCTS) at Vandenberg. This was actually a very interesting first a temporary base, then permanent facilities, ready for school since we got to learn in-depth how the Minuteman the GLCM mission. In October, the first GLCM flight of missile worked. We had coloring books where we were re- 16 missiles, transporters, equipment and personnel, arrived quired to trace the data flow to and from the launch facility one night from Arizona in several C-5s and the 487th (LF) to the launch control facility (LCC). Tactical Missile Wing (TMW), now with almost 1,500 Sometime while I was at Chanute, my Permanent people, was declared combat ready with a nuclear mission. Change of Station (PCS) orders were changed, reassigning By May 1984, I was at the end of my 12 month tour with me to the 44 SMW at Ellsworth. In less than six months, no reasonable chance that the Italian government would my orders were changed from my original assignment as an revise their stance and allow families to come to Comiso, intelligence officer in the 5th Bomb Wing (BW) at Minot to so I called the commander of 16th Air Force and told him I an admin type in the missile wing to Whiteman to redirect- needed a job and would like to stay in Europe, accompanied ing me to Ellsworth. This may be some type of record or the by my wife. Air Force wasn’t sure what to do with me. I found out later For the next four years, I commanded two more that several of the original 44 SMW crewmembers weren’t units, first the 39th Combat Support Squadron, a Group qualified for the “The Ohio State” Minuteman Education called a Squadron because the Turkish Air Force forced us Program, so I was a back fill to the original cadre. I was one to use their unit levels. Our Wing was called a Group so it of only a handful of 2nd Lts, with many of the crewmembers didn’t sound more important than the Turkish Group that Captains and even Majors. was our host at Incirlik Air Base (AB), Turkey. There I was After training at Vandenberg, I returned to Ells- called “the American Base Commander.” Then it was on to worth, went through an abbreviated upgrade program, in- command the 406 CSG at Zaragoza AB, Spain, and again, I cluding three LCC training rides. On my check ride with was “the American Base Commander.” a Standardization/Evaluation (Stand/Eval) crew commander After two tours on fighter bases, each two years and his deputy, I did great and was certified Combat Ready in length, it was time to head back to the states. I called in April 1964. My first crew commander was Major (soon to Col Susan Fisher, who was now Gen Jack Chain’s special be Lt Col) Dale Kellum which was to my great fortune. He assistant at Headquarters, SAC. Susan, who was the Director gave me check ride problems on every tour so I got to know of Personnel at Incirlik while I was there, told me all she the hardware and checklist procedures very well. He was a 8 mentor, Col Chuck McAndrews, as true missileer, with over AAFM Newsletter 20 years of operational experience. He went to the Wing Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 Commander and suggested that he be moved over to be the Senior crew commander in the 68 SMS, and as such he was RM so I would be given the opportunity to be the DO. After Alternate Command Post (ACP) qualified, but because I was about a year as the DO, I received orders to be the Vice Wing a 2nd Lt, the Wing wasn’t sure I could pull this duty. They Commander at Malmstrom under Col Ben Knight, another needed Major Kellum in the ACP so they let me tag along. mentor and friend. The 341 SMW was my first true com- I did get a major error (my only one) from the 3901 SMES, mand, never having been a Squadron or Base Commander. as did my commander. My gross violation was not carrying In addition to a change of command, on my first day, we my abbreviated checklist to open the blast door and my boss had a Base Open House, with the Thunderbirds, my Divi- got one for not supervising me! I wanted to fight this gross sion Commander and a Congressional delegation on base. injustice when I became 20th Air Force commander, but the Welcome to command! statute of limitations had run out. I was at the 341 SMW about a year and a half when My next position was as an Instructor and my new late one Friday night I got a call saying I was going to move crew commander was Larry Garrett, another great role mod- back to Grand Forks and take command of the 321 SMW. el for a young “brown bar”. We stayed as Instructors for Due to the short notice and being in the winter, it took sev- about a year, and were moved over to the Stand/Eval shop. eral weeks to name my replacement, thus I was in command Back then, most of the crews assigned to the shops were of two missile wings simultaneously. I made several trips still in their squadrons with only the Senior Crews being as- across North Dakota and Montana until a friend, Teddy signed to the DO. Rinebarger assumed command of the 341 SMW. Fortunate- In early 1967, SAC realized that our LCCs were vul- ly, during my short tour at Grand Forks, the “Warrior of the nerable to the more accurate Russia ICBMs so the Airborne North” won the Missile Competition in 1987. Launch Control System (ALCS) was activated. Finally, I Because of the Goldwater-Nichols law, I was in- would get a chance to fly. Through pure luck, I was assigned formed I need a Joint tour to be eligible to make Flag Of- as a deputy on the first Stand/Eval crew with Maj Howard ficer, so I had a one-year tour working for the Chairman of Tarleton, another super role model. We were certified by the the JCS, Admiral Crowe. After I was selected to Brigadier 3901 SMES after we trained them on this new weapon sys- General, in 1987, the Chief of Staff, AF called me in to tell tem, and I flew on the first ALCS combat mission. me my next assignment would be in the State Department as My next assignments came in rapid secession. Senior Military Advisor to the Director of the Arms Control While on an ALCS crew, I was selected to attend SOS at and Disarmament Agency (ACDA). I told the Chief that I Maxwell AFB, AL, and while there, I was reassigned to the was sure this was a mistake but Gen Larry Welch impressed 4315 CCTS as an ALCS instructor. After a short two-year upon me that there was no mistake! ACDA turned out be a tour I moved back to Ellsworth when the ALCS was moved most “career broadening” tour, exposing me to the interwork- out of the missile wings into the new Post Attack Command ing of the Federal Government. After nearly two and a half and Control System (PACCS) within the 4th Airborne Com- years and being promoted to Major General, I was assigned mand Control Squadron in the 28 BW. This lasted less than as Director of the US On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA). two years, when I was reassigned to SAC in the Directorate This happened only after I was alerted that I was going to of Operations-Airborne Division where I flew as a Stan/Eval Space Command. Once again, there seemed to be a trend on on Looking Glass. I got the chance to fly aboard the same changing my assignments. OSIA gave me the opportunity to aircraft nearly twenty years later as a General when I served travel to Russia on over twenty occasions inspecting their as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO). During Strategic and Conventional forces. I even learned to tell the my SAC tour I was fortunate enough to serve as Executive difference between Russian T-54 and T-55 tanks. officer to several SAC General Officers including Gen Bob Next move was a brief one-year tour as Air Force Herres who became the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Space Command Director of Operations. My primary task of Staff (JCS) was to integrate the space and missile career fields. I obvi- After SAC, I was assigned to the Pentagon as a ously was not successful in this endeavor. Nuclear Weapons plans officer and in this capacity worked My next and final assignment was as 20 AF Com- closely with the Joint Staff on matters pertaining to weapons mander and what a way to close out a 30+ year career af- development and deployment. I then became an Executive ter fifteen moves and various staff and command positions. officer to Lt Gen George Miller, a true gentleman who later Commander of the most powerful fighting force in the world, became Vice CINCSAC. operated, maintained and guarded by the finest military in I attended Air War College in 1980 after four years the world!! on the Air Staff and somehow managed to be a Distinguished My Time in Missiles – CMSgt (Ret) Mike Kenderes, AAFM Graduate. My follow-on assign was as the ADO in the 321 Board Member and AAFM Mbr No L222, Santa Maria, CA SMW at Grand Forks. I was again fortunate to have a great It all started in January, 1958, when I joined the AF 9 believe it. Like my dad always told me, “You can’t get a hit AAFM Newsletter unless you swing the bat! Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 I was assigned to the Electronics Shop, 451 SMW, as I turned 17. During basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, in Denver. We were the only Titan I wing, with 2 missile we took 4 tests and one of the tests was electronics. I knew squadrons each with 9 missiles. Then something happened absolutely nothing about the subject, as I thought the sig- in October 1962. I was on my first day of a five day leave nal for a radio came from the wall socket. However, one of high up in the Colorado Rockies scouting for deer/elk on my flight buddies had an associate degree in electronics. I the eve of opening day. We returned to our campsite and explained my plight and he told me I could sit next to him read a note on our radio antenna (I finally figured out how a during the test and copy his results. While I was copying I radio got its signal). The note read: “This is not an exercise. noticed he left a few of the questions unanswered and went Report to base immediately, signed “the Game Warden.” back to them later. I didn’t wait to copy those answers but He must have seen our base sticker on the bumper. We re- just took a guess at them. A few days later the results and turned home, and I called the shop and was told the Russians assignments came out. Only two of the 72 in our flight were were pulling some crap in Cuba and get to work ASAP. I selected to aircraft radio/radar school at Scott AFB, IL, and I would be dispatching to the field and needed to plan for an was one of them. The other 70 were going to be Air Police- extended dispatch. I grabbed my alert duffle bag, reported men! I really felt sorry for him but there was nothing either in, reviewed our maintenance logs to determine which parts/ of us could do about it without exposing both of us as cheat- electronic drawers failed the most, got a truck, went to base ers. supply and loaded all the parts I thought I might need, went After my 8 months of schooling at Scott, we re- to Keys and Codes to get my entry and duress codes and ceived our assignments and I was to go to Ramey AFB, departed base. I arrived at Launch Complex 724C as the sun Puerto Rico. My buddy from Wisconsin got an assignment was just coming up. Shortly later, SAC went to DEFCON to Lowry AFB, CO, but he wanted to “see the world” so we 2. For the next 20 or so days I rotated through the 724th got our assignments switched. Little did I know that this squadron repairing the 9 missiles. I cannibalized parts from would change my entire life, both careerwise and personally, different electronic drawers, soldered relays, etc., and had as I met my wife of 59 years, Martha, in Denver. I arrived at the crew run system checks. I kept meticulous records of Lowry in October 1958, after just been demoted at Scott via what I had done outside of Tech Orders so the system could Article 15, so I arrived with no stripes but a SSgt at the flight be restored to proper configuration. I cannot remember a line radio shop became my mentor. He was black, and that single time any of our nine Titan I’s came off alert during plays into how I got into missiles. In 1960, he got orders to the crisis. I clearly remember, underground, praying those go to Sheppard for missile maintenance training. Since he Russians would turn their ships around so we could see our was black and married to a lovely Korean lady, they would loved ones again. I returned to base in mid-November as have to remain on base as Texas did not permit interracial Gen Power, CINCSAC, kept SAC at DEFCON 2 until 15 marriages (in 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that barring in- November. This single experience changed my entire atti- terracial marriages by state law was unconstitutional). He tude for the remaining 24 years of my AF career. chose to decline the assignment and I applied and was ac- In 1963, the Minuteman force was really gaining cepted to take his place. traction and I volunteered to cross train into Minuteman I was told the assignment to Sheppard was a TDY ICBMs. I drove from Lowry, and we crashed late that night and I would return to Lowry, so I temporarily left my fam- in Chanute’s transit quarters. About noon there was a knock ily in Denver close to Martha’s parents. Upon arriving at on the door and it was the maid. She said that President Ken- Sheppard I was told by Personnel Section that my assign- nedy had just been assassinated in Dallas. After Chanute ment had been changed from TDY to PCS. So, I drove back Minuteman I training, I was assigned to 90 SMW at Francis to Denver, loaded up a U-Haul with our possessions (back E. Warren AFB, WY, to a Target and Alignment Team (TAT). then, E-1 through E-4’s moved at their own expense) and our The 90 SMW was just starting its initial posturing, and it was 3 children (the youngest less than 1 month old) and moved a wild time. Just after we got our first squadron on alert (the to Texas. At Sheppard, I became a trainer maintainer for the 319 SMS), the wing was notified by SAC that all 50 mis- Titan I and Titan II operations trainers. I got my training siles would have to be recycled to Hill AFB, UT, because on the Titan II operations trainers at Baltimore, MD, with the Stage I propellant (Morton Thiokol) was suspect and the Martin Marietta engineers. I re-enlisted in January 1962 and original posturing schedule would continue. In 1965, our the Base of Choice program allowed first term re-enlistees Quality Control (QC) TAT was unqualified by 3901 SMES to get an assignment of their choice. I applied for Lowry at Vandenberg during an Operational Test Launch (OTL) and was turned down. I went to Personnel Section and asked evaluation. At 0400 the next day, I got a call from my TAT who could waiver the denial. I was told only the Secretary of Team Chief, Capt Densmore. He told me that our QC team- the AF could. That sounded fishy but I wrote to him and his would be flying to Vandenberg to replace them. The next office approved my transfer. The guy at Personnel couldn’t day we were evaluated by SMES and we received 21 Highly 10 Communication Rockets (ERCS) at Whiteman. He stated he AAFM Newsletter was only required to monitor A-Cap sorties. Personally, I Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 had always considered those 6 ERCS ICBMs more impor- Qualified grades out of 21 tasks. Our wing commander was tant than any six A-Cap sorties because of target overlap. So, leery that SMES would evaluate a replacement TAT so he next exercise I methodically eliminated all 6 ERCS ICBMs kept us TDY for 6 more OTLs (90 days). When we finally for various reasons, and then the script had our ERCS sorties got back to Cheyenne we were told our team was the new launched. But, alas, no one knew they were all off alert. You QC Targeting team. In 1967 our team was selected to rep- had to have been there. Anyway, after that ERCS were mon- resent the 90 SMW in the first SAC Missile Competition, itored at both Offutt, Barksdale and 15 AF, March AFB, CA. Curtain Raiser. We performed an error free exercise but, al- But, I really didn’t have a job at 8 AF with only 3 missile though within technical order tolerances, lost 60 points for wings, Davis-Monthan, Little Rock and Whiteman AFBs. I being .8 arc second off dead center. did attempt to combine the 3 Titan II wings to 8 AF and

In 1968 I was assigned to 394 SMS at Vandenberg the 6 Minuteman wings to 15 AF but when I briefed the 8 and transferred to 3901 SMES a few months later. I was a AF Commander he said, “Sergeant, do you really think I am Combat Targeting Evaluator along with fellow Missileer going to give up a weapon system?” And so it goes. SMES board member, Bob Kelchner. I was also an evaluator for was required to brief 8 AF, so when Col Ralph D. Scott, who the next 4 missile competitions (1969-1972). We got SAC’s had been my previous 341 SMW Commander and was now missile maintenance directorate’s (LGB) concurrence to test SMES Commander, briefed our 8 AF Commander, who in- a new evaluation concept whereby SMES would evaluate cidentally fell asleep during the briefing, I cornered him and unit maintenance evaluators evaluating their unit personal begged him to get me reassigned as I hated golf. He said he and maintenance trainers evaluated while training unit per- would get back to me and 2 months later I had an assignment sonnel. Both programs were a great success and became the back to 3901 SMES as the NCOIC, Minuteman Division. new norm for all areas evaluated, i.e., Operations, Mainte- Like the fellow said, “It’s not what you know, but who you nance, Communications etc. know.” In the summer of 1972, I moved to QC, 341 SMW, My second SMES tour (1978 - 1982) was fantastic! at Malmstrom, as Targeting evaluator and later was put We implemented a SMES maintenance staff assistance team in charge of performing maintenance Activity Inspec- concept whereby if a unit failed so badly SMES would offer tions. This assignment was very instructive as it required to SAC/LGB to revisit with an abbreviated SMES team as an knowledge of managerial compliance with specific manual/ assistance team. This worked very well at Grand Forks. Af- regulation requirements instead of just technical order re- ter our visit we would meet with all the maintenance folks at quirements. This was my bridge from technician to man- the Noncommissioned Officers Club and each of our NCO- ager. Later I was assigned to be noncommissioned officer in ICs would stand up and brief the group on his findings. We charge (NCOIC), Team Training Branch (TTB) which had would leave all our findings with our unit counterparts and just received an unsatisfactory rating from 3901 SMES. The a simple one page letter would be sent to SAC/LGB, i.e, we next SMES inspection we got an excellent rating, first for a arrived on date and departed on date. The wing has been Minuteman Maintenance Training outfit. Our Deputy Com- briefed of our findings. I also toughened up the missile main- mander for Maintenance came down to congratulate us and tenance competition scripts with malfunctions. he asked what he could do for us. I asked him if he could In 1982, I moved to the Air Force Operational Test see his way to authorizing a MA-1 type flight jacket for all and Evaluation Center, (AFOTEC) unit at Vandenberg, as the TTB folks. By golly, he did and we started getting our NCOIC to test and evaluate the Peacekeeper (PK) missile. jackets every quarter as funding would permit. We gave the The Peacekeeper was a fantastic weapon system but it was a jackets to lowest ranking members first and I will never for- political football. Congress could never get its stuff together get seeing Airman Woejechowski, our clerk, proudly strut- as far as deployment, etc. We had to come up with a brief- ting around the hangar in his new jacket! Good times! ing to a house committee to show these congress critters the In 1976, I was asked if I wanted to be assigned to 8 accuracy of the Peacekeeper so we came up with Robert F. AF, Barksdale AFB, LA, as a missile staff member. I accept- Kennedy Stadium with the 50 yard line as ground zero and ed and it turned out to be my worst assignment. But there then placed all of the reentry vehicle impact points we had was a bright spot. Barksdale was SAC’s command post al- from Kwajalein atoll on the stadium overlay...it was very im- ternative if Offutt should go down so we conducted -exer pressive! cises in case 8 AF was called upon. I was on the team that In June 1985, I retired from the AF and as I told wrote the exercise scripts. The exercises usually lasted 5-8 folks at my retirement, “When I got on that plane in Newark days and would gradually build up from normal to DEFCON in 1958, I never thought the ride would have lasted almost 1. We had a crusty old GS-15 that ran our Force Division 28 years and been so satisfying! All the great folks I met that monitored all SAC A-CAP sorties. After he briefed us I along the way and to be able to serve America the best ways asked him why he didn’t monitor our 6 Emergency Rocket I knew.” Last thing, I’m 77 and I might have goofed with 11 of the 15 AF. I held this position for three years until I re- AAFM Newsletter tired from the USAF in 1983. In retirement, I applied for Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 and was offered the job of the ICBM System Test division a fact here or there, but I did my best at Charlie’s request! for TRW (Northrop Grumman). There I was in charge of test BTW, “Where would we Missileers be without Col Charles evaluations where we tested and evaluated all test require- G. Simpson??” ments for the Peacekeeper Missile System and the rapid ex- Hank Habenick’s Career in Missiles – by CMSgt (Ret) ecution and combat targeting systems (REACT). Hank Habenick, AAFM Board Member and AAFM MbrNo L264, Cot- After 18 years with Grumman, I retired again. Kay tage Grove, OR and I moved to Cottage Grove, OR, where we built our I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA, where I enjoyed home next to the Row River (it’s full of trout and salm- a typical sunshine state childhood. As a teenager, I played on!). We enjoy small town living where we can spread football and rode horses. While riding horses I always our wings and enjoy the wide-open spaces. looked up and watched the airplanes that would soon be- come my future. After graduation from high school I had to make a decision about whether to go to college or join the military. In 1959, I chose to join the Air Force. After basic training I was trained as an aircraft flight engineer at Shep- pard and loved it. After graduation, I was shipped to Osan AB, Korea, as a flight engineer on a C-131, flying classified missions up to the 38th parallel. I was then re-assigned to RAF Bovington, England, where I performed flight checking for Air Force Navigation Systems. In 1963, after a mission to Libya, I was notified that I was being sent to Chanute, for training to become a Minuteman Missileer. I was in school for 52 weeks to be- come an Electro-Mechanical Team (EMT) member. While I was at school, I met the love of my life, Kay, in Champaign- The Topside at Q-01 Urbana, IL. I graduated in 1964 and was transferred to Van- denberg, to become part of their EMT. Kay and I were also Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility married that year in Lompoc. There was more school at Vandenberg for three State Historic Site - by Brian Boner, an AAFM months and then it was back to Illinois to the Technical Anal- Life member who served for 6 years as a crew commander in the 319th ysis Division (TAD) for 26 more weeks of training. This was Missile Squadron, as an instructor and evaluator in the 90th Operations Group , and as a 20th Air Force staff member. After active duty, he so I could become part of the technical analysis division at returned to his family’s ranch in Douglas, WY, and now represents Vandenberg to start the initial validation of Minuteman III Platte and Converse Counties in the Wyoming Senate. Missile. I returned to Vandenberg in 1967 and was placed I write you as both a former missileer and current in the initial Minuteman III testing program. I worked that legislator. As many of you know, Q-01 of the 400th Missile program for three years. I was then notified that I was being Squadron north of Cheyenne, WY, is in the process of being reassigned to Malmstrom, where I became an EMT Team converted into a state historic site. While Q-01 was shut Chief. down in 2005, the New START Treaty allowed us to keep a In August 1969, I returned to Vandenberg and was missile alert facility (MAF) intact for historic interpretation. assigned to the 3901 SMES training division. In 1973, I was We look forward to opening the facility after the General back in Montana as an EMT flight chief. In 1974, I was Services Administration gets it back into its 2005 condition promoted to Master Sergeant and was later asked to become the Branch Chief of EMT. The Branch was responsible for and expect the transfer to take place in late June of this year. three different weapon system configurations during the This transfer is the result of legislation at the federal Minuteman upgrade cycle. During this period EMT was and state level. Most recently, the Wyoming Legislature twice awarded an Outstanding Branch by the SAC Inspector appropriated one-time funds to get the site up and running General and twice by the 3901 SMES. and passed a bill to allow the fees paid at Q-01 to be In 1976, I was named the SAC Maintenance Man reinvested back into the site. I want to thank anybody who of the Year. I was then asked by the Deputy Commander helped in the efforts to support these measures. Col (Ret) for Maintenance to become NCOIC of Maintenance Con- Scott Fox worked especially hard to organize efforts locally trol. I remained there for three years at which time I got a in Cheyenne to support both the funding and the policy work line number for Chief Master Sergeant. In April 1980, I was as we get Q-01 up and running. notified by the “Chief’s Group” that I was being reassigned We anticipate the site will be very popular. This will to March, as technical advisor for ICBMs to the Commander be the only Peacekeeper historic site in the world and it sits 12 for their exhibit; Nuclear Conflict, Peaceful Compromise, in AAFM Newsletter the Ohio State History Day competition in April. They also Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 won the Advanced Digital Researcher Award, the Maritime on a prime location just north of the rapidly growing front Award, and $275. Devin and Parker competed in the Na- range. We look forward to leveraging the Wyoming Office tional History Day Competition at the University of Mary- of Tourism to ensure this site is well known as a new option land, in June. for the growing nuclear tourism industry in this country. Devin and Parker spent countless hours over the If the initial response among the local veteran community past year researching and learning about the Cuban Mis- is any indication, it would seem we have a large source of sile Crisis. The boys visited March Air Force Base, CA, potential volunteers who wouldn’t mind giving tours, thus where they learned about the Minuteman II Missile. At The saving our state government much needed resources. John F. Kennedy President Library and Museum in Boston, This journey has been an incredible experience. MA, they found many of their primary sources; including While we still don’t have a hard date for reopening Q-01, letters, photographs, and newspaper articles. The boys inter- I am confident it will be available for a tour in time for the viewed three Missileers, Charlie Simpson, Joe Andrew and AAFM national meeting in Cheyenne on 13 October - I hope Jim Widlar. At home in Ohio, Devin and Parker visited the to see you there! National Museum of the United States Air Force and an old You can also follow our progress and share your fallout shelter in Lewisburg.

story regarding the 400 MS or the Peacekeeper at http:// Devin and Parker were asked to write a article for wyoparks.state.wy.us/index.php/places-to-go/quebec-01 or the Ohio History Connections magazine, Echoes, about their by following the “Quebec 01” Facebook page. If you have experiences and their story was published in May. any questions about this process, please contact me at brian. Devin and Parker, along with Parker’s mother, will [email protected] or (307) 359-0707. join us in October at Cheyenne, and the boys will make a presentation to AAFM members about their project. MiMi Seeks Public Comment On Proposed Fee Increase Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is seeking input about a proposed tour fee change for the ranger-guided tours at the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility. If approved, the new rates would take effect 1 January 2019. The thirty-minute ranger-guided tour of the control center at Delta-01 begins with a walk through the grounds and topside support building. Visitors then descend via el- evator 31 feet underground to the Launch Control Center to see the electronics used by missileers to control ten Minute- man II missiles. To protect the historic facilities and to pro- vide for visitor safety, each tour is limited to six participants. This fee covers only the ranger-led tour at Delta-01; there is no entrance fee to visit the park. The current expanded amenity fee and tour struc- ture is $6 per adult and $4 per youth (ages 6 to 16) for a thirty minute tour of Delta-01. The park proposes a fee of $12 per adult and $8 per youth (ages 6 to 16) and an increase in the tour duration to forty-five minutes. "The tour through Delta-01 provides the public with the opportunity to view a unique and once restricted place,” said Superintendent Eric Devin and Parker Leonard, “A review of the current structure last summer re- Ohio History Day Winners to Join vealed that the present fee is well below the common market AAFM in Cheyenne rate for similar services and like facilities.” On Saturday, 21 April, over 700 students from all Tour revenue is kept by the park to use for deferred over Ohio competed at the Ohio State History Day compe- maintenance and preservation projects. To comment on the tition. This year’s theme was Conflict and Compromise. proposed rate increase, respond by 17 August 2018, to mimi_ Devin Corrington and Parker Williams, 7th grade students [email protected], or by the Planning, Environment, from Tri County North Middle School, Ohio, won 1st place and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning. nps.gov/delta01fee. 13 AAFM Newsletter A Word from the Association Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 Cheyenne in October - If you haven’t sent in your regis- A Missiles and UFOs update from tration yet for our 25th Anniversary National Meeting in Robert Hastings - Robert Hastings, AAFM Mbr No Cheyenne 9-14 October, you need to do it soon. You saw A2096, Villa Grove, CO the welcome from the wing commander at Warren on page In December, The New York Times covered a 1, as well as the short summary of activities on page 2. We recently-revealed unidentified flying objects (UFO) study have had 12 great National Meetings - this will be no ex- conducted by the Defense Intelligence Agency between ception. We have invited the Secretary of the Air Force 2007 and 2012, designated the Advanced Aerospace Threat to join us on Saturday night and speak at our banquet, and Identification Program. The former director, Luis Elizondo, her staff is hoping to make that happen, but, as you know, said that among the cases reviewed were those involving the demands on this top officer sometimes make it difficult UFO incursions at Minuteman sites in Montana in 1975. to schedule events like ours. Maj Gen Stoss, the 20th Air The chief Congressional sponsor of the program, Force commander, plans to give us a great rundown on the now-retired US Senator Harry Reid, confirmed this in an missile force today and tomorrow, and Lt Gen Tony Cot- interview in Las Vegas. Reid said, “It’s all in the documents... ton, the Air University commander, plans to join us and talk Scores and scores of mostly men up there [in the missile about education in the Air Force today. And, as you can see field] would come out and say, ‘Oh, I wonder what that is up on the registration form on the inside front cover, we have there?’ And [the UFOs] wouldn’t leave. The communications lots more planned. in the missile defense installation would shut down. It didn’t 3901 SMES Reunion - for those who will also be attending happen once. [It happened] more than once.” the SMES reunion during our Cheyenne meeting, we know Some of the documents relating to these incidents you will enjoy hearing Maj Gen Stoss talk about the inspec- are NORAD log entries from 7-9 November 1975, which tion and evaluation program in operations and maintenance have been declassified via the Freedom of Information Act. today - a program much different from that those of us who They describe multiple sightings by Security Alert Team served in the 3901 SMES were familiar with. members of aerial objects that appeared as glowing balls of AAFM Executive Director - Over the next few months, the light that hovered or moved at high velocity. One object was “staff” and leadership of AAFM will change as we transition described as disc-shaped, another released a smaller tubular- to our new Executive Director, Col (Ret) Jim Warner. Jim shaped object. has already joined me at meetings in Cheyenne and at War- Once radar contact with the UFOs had been ren, and is beginning to take over some of the other day-to- established, F-106 fighters were launched to intercept them. day duties. I will work with Jim over the next year to ensure As the jets closed in, the unknown objects extinguished their a smooth transition. There won’t be a “Change of Com- illumination and dropped in altitude, making them difficult to mand Parade” during the Cheyenne meeting, but I under- detect. Once the fighters returned to base, the UFOs became stand there will be a recognition for your outgoing director. brightly-lit once more and continued to maneuver above the I don’t intend to go away - I will be as involved as Jim and missile field. The log entries may be read in their entirety at the Board of Directors want me to be to keep our great orga- www.ufohastings.com/documents. nization as involved and active as it has been in our first 25 Having learned of similar incidents at Malmstrom years. We continue to add new members, and we are adding AFB, MT, in March 1967, when my father, SMSgt Robert new board members every two years whose experience with E. Hastings, was stationed there, I have spent 45 years missiles is much more recent than some of us have. investigating these cases and have to date interviewed AAFM Newsletter Participation - The series we started more than 160 USAF veterans about them. A number of in this issue, “My Journey in Missiles,” needs your input. these individuals are former missileers who appear in my Many of you told your personal stories for our “How I Got documentary film, UFOs and Nukes: The Secret Link into Missiles” and”What I Did After Missiles” series. Keep Revealed, which is available online. it up on this new series. Your personal tales let the rest of Since 2002, the AAFM Newsletter has published our members know more about each one of us - it doesn’t four of my articles concerning UFO sightings at missile matter if you served a single tour or a whole career - your sites over the years. More than 40 AAFM members have story is important to this series. . contacted me with their personal stories. Anyone wishing to do so may reach me at [email protected]. Letters to AAFM Address letters to AAFM, Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO Check your dues status by checking the number 80424, or send by e-mail to [email protected]. Letters above your name on the mailing label - 919 means may be edited to fit - content/meaning will not be changed. September 2019 - or email [email protected]. We have no letters to publish this isssue. 14 ment with the Presidential aircraft. While those members AAFM Newsletter who worked at the Air Staff and Headquarters Strategic Air Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 Command level, especially those of you in the Airborne Taps for Missileers Launch Control business had a closer relationship with the Col (Ret) Max M. Axelsen, an AAFM founding Member, Air Force One mission, all missileers knew about our com- served in Titan I in the 395 SMS, in Titan II in the 308 SMW, plex command and control system. in Minuteman in the 321 SMW and in 1 STRAD, and lived This work by Dorr and Veronico goes all the way in San Antonio, TX. back to the beginning of the use of aircraft by our Presi- MSgt (Ret) Vonard Bedker, an AAFM Member, served in dents, and has a lot of information about all of the aircraft Atlas in the 551 SMS and in Minuteman in the 341 SMW, used, from the Ford Trimotor used by Franklin D. Roosevelt and lived in Zillah, WA. to today’s modified Boeing 747. The book was published Lt Col (Ret) Lucien E. Bourcier, an AAFM Member, by Motorbooks, part of the Quarto Group, and information served in Minuteman maintenance in the 44 SMW and the is available at QuartoKnows.com. The book is also avail- 341 SMW, and lived in Great Falls, MT. able at Amazon.com and at other outlets. Note that there are Col (Ret) Ronald V. Buchert, an AAFM Member, served other books about Air Force One with titles close to this title. in Titan II in the 308 SMW, 381 SMW and 390 SMW and in Minuteman in the 321 SMW, and lived in St. Petersburg, FL. Reentry Vehicle Col (Ret) Martin M. Burdick, an AAFM Life Member, Identity - In the 1966 to served in Minuteman and Peacekeeper in the 321 SMW and 1968 time frame, there were some as Commander of the 90 SMW, in Space systems, at SAM- very unusual tests of the Minute- SO and 1 STRAD, and lived in Littleton, CO. man II with a different Reentry MSgt (Ret) Rick Criss was Facilities Manager Superinten- Vehicle (RV) configuration from dent in the 67 SMS and lives in Ohio. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Lt Col (Ret) Andres Cuellar served in Atlas in the 579 SMS FL. These tests were from Launch and Minuteman in the 321 SMW and lived in Laredo, TX. Complex 32B silo. As a result of Lt Col (Ret) Joseph “Steve” Downs served in Minuteman some research and inputs from some Air Force missileers, it in the 321 SMW and 44 SMW/MW, at SAC and in Arms was determined that these six tests (10 Jul 1966, 18 Jan, 25 Control, and lived in Herndon, VA. Feb, 17 Aug, 6 Nov 1967 and 7 Feb 1968) were related to the Col (Ret) William F. Gavitt, Jr, an AAFM Founding Mem- Research and Development of a new RV, the General Elec- ber, served in Atlas F in the 550 SMS, in Minuteman in the tric Mark 12. A shroud was over the RV during the launch. 44 SMW, 91 SMW and 321 SMW and at 15 AF, and lived in The Minuteman II used for these tests were serial numbers Riverside, CA. 463 to 468. This RV, the Mark 12, was being developed for MSgt (Ret) Bobby J. Haralson, an AAFM Member, served and was deployed on the operational Minuteman III. in Titan II in the 308 SMW and in the 3901 SMES, and lived in Jacksonville, AR. Col (Ret) Anthony T. Hogan, an AAFM Member, served in Minuteman in the 455 SMW, 321 SMW and was com- mander of the 91 SMW, in ALCS and on the Air Staff and at SAC, and lived in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. MSgt (Ret) Larry Kimball served in Maintenance in the 321 SMW and lived in Vermillion, SD. SMSgt (Ret) Bob Klein served in missile maintenance and after retirement, in quality assurance at Kennedy Space Cen- ter, and lived in Florida. Lt Col (Ret) Steven A. Thomae, an AAFM Member, served in Titan II in the 308 and 390 SMW, in the 4315 CCTS, and Launch Enable Panel in GLCM in the 485 TMW, and lived in Navarre Beach, FL. Oscar Zero Panel Air Force One, The Aircraft of the Robert Branting, the director at Oscar-Zero, the “Deuce” capsule in Cooperstown, ND, is missing one key piece Modern US Presidency of launch control center interpretation, the code-enable panel This new book by Robert Dorr and Nicholas Ve- at the commander’s console. Right now, they have a trainer ronico is an excellent history of all of the Presidential air- mock-up. If anyone in AAFM knows where the State Historical craft, with lots of photos and descriptions. While there is Society of North Dakota might locate one for the site, contact not much specifically about missiles and missileers, many of Robert at 701-797-3691 or email at [email protected]. you served in command and control jobs and had involve- 15 AAFM Newsletter The New Members Page Volume 26, Number 2 June 2018 AAFM continues to add new members. One important facet of AAFM is that the dues have not changed since we began in 1993. Annual dues free for active duty enlisted and still $20 per year ($5 for active duty officers and students), $50 for three years ($14 for active duty officers and students) and $300 for a lifetime membership. Life membership donations can be made in up to 12 monthly installments. Dues can be paid by mail with a check or on our web page using Paypal. No other credit card options are offered. Our benefits and programs: - Quarterly newsletter featuring articles and stories by members, official news releases and other information, in full color in the electronic edition, at the end of March, June, September and December. For those who prefer the print, mailed copy, the mailings follow the release of the electronic version by about three weeks. - Email updates monthly, to every missileer on our contact list. Keep AAFM advised of email address changes. - AAFM’s web page, at afmissileers.org, featuring information about all of AAFM’s programs, a frequently updated “Warble Tone” section with the latest news about missileers, meetings, books and much more, including our “Taps for Missileers” list of missileers who have passed away, and more. Our page also includes access to Greg Ogletree’s collection of missile patches and our entire newsletter library. - Member Directory every three years, available free electronically and for $10 a mailed print copy. Interim updates. - National Meetings every two years, always near a base with a missile-related mission. - Occasional local area meetings at locations around the country. - Missile Heritage Grants to museums, donated in memory of members who have passed away, to museums for missile and missile-related displays. AAFM has donated over a quarter million dollars to date to museums for displays. - Participation in Air Force events, including the Bomb and Missile Competitions. - A large library of publications, videos and CDs about missile history and missile programs. - A Donations/Store area with a wide variety of logo items, lapel pins and badges, CDs and DVDs, models, books and much more. A link is on our web page. New Members since 1 April 2018 - Mark Anderson, Bill Bacle, Terry Bernth, Kim Buffington, John Coffee, Robert Dames, Earl Durant, Matthew Gregor, Marilyn Hollis, George Marsh Jr., Arthur Menke, Joy Mosdell, Michael O’Neill, Carlos Olivo, Jackie Perdue, William Perry, Frank Rogers. New Life Members (some transitioned from regular members) - Gary Emmons, Phillip Layman, Deborah McCarty, Kurt Mickus, Darreld Walton, Henry Wilson. Join us in Cheyenne 9-14 October 2018 for AAFM’s 25th Anniversary National Meeting - Little America Resort and Hotel Great Speakers, Base and Cheyenne area tours, and a great opportunity to spend time with a large number of other missileers. The 556 SMS and the 3901 SMES will be joining us for the meeting. Register now using the form on the inside cover or at afmissileers.org

Available for Members

2018 Membership Directory - 90 pages with information on current, past and deceased members. Free electronical- ly or $10 for a mailed copy. Email [email protected] or send a check to AAFM, PO Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO 80424.

AAFM Email List - addresses for all members who have made them available, email [email protected] to request a copy.

Dues Status - check the address block on your mailed copy of the newsletter - the number above your name (919 means dues expire in September 2019) or email [email protected] if you receive the electronic newsletter. 16 Donate to AAFM Missile Heritage and Enlisted Recognition Funds Lapel Pins and Badges Missile Badge Lapel Pins - Silver, 1 1/4 inch , Indicate quantity of each - $5 each or any 6 for $25 Basic Badge ____ Basic with Ops Designator ____ Lapel Pins - $5 each or 3 for $10 Senior Badeg ____ AAFM - 1 ___ 3 ___ Space Badge Lapel Pins - Sil- Senior with Ops Designator ____ SAC - 1 ___ 3 ___ ver, 1 1/4 inch, Indicate quan- Master Badge ____ Cuban Crisis - 1 ___ 3 ___ tity for each - $5 each, any 3 for Master with Ops Designator ______Minuteman II Alerts - $10 or 6 for $25 Total Amount $______100 - 1 ___ 3 ___ 200 - 1 ___ 3 ___ Basic ___ Senior ____ Full Size Reproduction Missile Master ____ Master Technician - 1 ___ 3 ___ Total Amount $______and Combat Crew Badges Total for Pins $ ______Finish, styles and sizes - NS Non-shiny, CF chrome finish, FS full size, SS, smaller size for shirt outer wear. Mark quan- tity below. Not all versions, sizes or finishes availalbe. Basic, No Ops Designator - NS FS____ SS ____ Senior, No Ops Designator - NS FS ___ SS ____ Master, No Ops Designator - NS FS ___ SS ___ Basic, Ops Designator - NS FS ___ CF SS ____ Master, Ops Designator - CF SS _____ Combat Crew Badge NS FS ____ $10 each - Total Amount for Badges Ordered $______Official Chrome Finish badges, any of the six in either full size or shirt size available by special order, prices vary. Challenge Coins AAFM Coin - $10 each ____ 3 for $25 ____ 3901 SMES Mission Complete Coin $10 each ____ ICBM Deterrence Coin $10 each _____ Missile Competition Coins - $5 each, 3 for $10. Indicate Quantity for each Guardian Challenge Coins (AF Space Command Competitions) 2006 _____ 2008 _____ Global Strike Challenge (AF Global Strike Command Comp) 2010 ______2011 ____ 2012 (Cuban Missile Crisis) ______2014 _____ Total Amount for Coins $______Patches AAFM Patch - $5 each ____ 3 for $10 ____ Total $______Subterranean Sentinels Patch - $10 each ____ 3 for $25 ___ Total $______Cuban Missile Crisis 2012 Commemorative Patch - $10 ____3 for $25 ___ Total $_____ Reproduction Patches - Made for reunions and donated to AAFM - $10 each 341 MIMS ___ 321 OSS ____ 6555 ATW ____ SAC with Stripe ___ 50 Years Deterrrence $10 ___ ICBM Deterrence $10 _____ Total for Reproduction Patches $______AAFM CD and DVD Collections - for research and historical use only - CDs include Photos, Tech Orders, ar- ticles, publications, other data, DVDs are Collections of films and videos from various sources, including documentaries that AAFM advised on. $10 for each CD or DVD set - Indicate Quantities - Total Amount - $______CD sets - AAFM and Historical Data ____ Early and Airlaunched Missiles ____ Atlas D, E, F _____ Titan I and II ____ Minuteman I, II and III ____ Competions and Peacekeeper ______GLCM ____ Matador and Mace ____ All Eight CD sets - $50 - _____ DVD Sets - AAFM and Historic Videos ____ Atlas D, E, F and Titan I and II ____ GLCM ____ Minuteman I, II, III and Peacekeeper____ Early Airlaunched Missiles ____ Air Force Space Videos ____ SAC ____ Competitions ____ All 8 DVD sets - $50 ____ SAC Memorial DVD - Dedication at Dayton - $10 ___ AAFM 2012 National Meeting at Malmstrom - $10 ___ The Groobers Missile Music CD - - $10 ____ Publications - 1998 AAFM Book, “Air Force Missileers” - $30 ___ Greg Ogletree’s “History of the Missile Badge” - $5 ___ Bill McKee’s Cartoon Book, “Missile Business” - $5 ___ AAFM Poetry Collection - $10 ____ AAFM 2012 Book “Missileers and the Cuban Missile Crisis” - $15 ____ Prints - Signed/numbered Print “Countdown - 5,4,3,2,1” - $15 each - Quantity _____ Total Amount ______Randy Mayse signed print for Malmstrom 25th Anniversary - TE on site - $25 each Quantity ____ Total $______Cuban Missile Crisis Painting of Malmstrom’s A-06- $15 each - Quantity ______Total Amount $______Joe Andrew’s painting, “The Guardians” - $10 each Quantity ______Total Amount $______Bob Wyckoff’s Collection of Poems - plus AAFM’s “We are Missileers” For the poem Missileer - choose graphics preference - circle one, more or all - Missile Badge - Basic Senior Master Missile Badge with Ops designator Basic Senior Master Space Badge Basic Senior Master All Poems printed on Photo Paper for Framing - $10 ______AAFM Brief Case $15 each Quantity ____ Total $______AAFM Golf Cap $15 Each Quantity ____ Total $______AAFM Golf Shirt and AAFM Long Sleeve Dress Shirts - available in limited sizes and colors - call or email AAFM if you want to order - prices and availability vary. Minuteman I, II and III 14 inch Desk Models - in white or real colors. Delivery time about four months - $220 each - call AAFM for details and to order or go to our web page. Limited number of MMIII in current real colors - $175. Order and Pay on-line at the Donations/Store area on our web page, afmissileers.org with a credit card. Books and Special Collectibles (pins, patches, prints, and more) also shown there. Or complete the form and send your payment (checks only) to Association of Air Force Missileers, PO Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO 80424. Shipping included. Name: Address: City, State, Zip code: Total Donation______(Due to increased postage costs, order must be least $10

Association of Air Force Missileers - Membership Application Complete and mail to AAFM PO Box 5693 Breckenridge, CO 80424 or log on to afmissileers.org Membership Categories - Free for Active Duty Enlisted Annual ($20) ____ Active Duty/Student ($5) ____ Three Years ($50) ____ Active Duty/Student ($14) ____ Lifetime ($300) ____ (Payable in up to 12 installments) Member Number ______Name E-Mail

Address Phone

City State Zip Rank/Grade

Signature Active Duty ___ Retired ____ Discharged/Separated ____ Guard/Reserve _____ Civilian _____ Awarded Missile Badge - Yes _____ No _____ Can AAFM release this information - only to members and missile organizations? Yes ____ No ___ List your Missile Experience including Systems and Units - e.g. - Minuteman, 90 MW, Atlas 556 SMS, Hound- Dog 319 BW, etc. Include all higher headquarters, training, test, evaluationn or other special assignments. ______

Specialties - Operations___ Maintenance___ Munitions___ Comm___ Facility Mgr___ Safety___ Civil Eng___ Support___ Research/Devel/Test___ Instrumentation___ Security___ Contractor___ ( ) Other ______Missile Competition Participant___ Years______Commander -Sqdn___ Group___ Wing___ Other______

Association of Air Force Missileers PO Box 5693 NON PROFIT Breckenridge, CO 80424 US POSTAGE PAID Change Service Requested Norfolk,NE Permit # 125

Reunions and Meetings 390th SMW - 26-30 September 2018, Colorado Springs Marriott. Contact: John or Susan Lasher - 520-886-3430 or email [email protected] All members of 308 SMW, 381 SMW and 395 SMS welcome to join us. 455/91 SMW/MG/MW Maintainers, 3-4 August 2018, Minot, ND, including wing tour and Northern Neighbors Day with the Thunderbirds, along with other activities. Contact. Chuck Emery, [email protected], 701-573-5563. 556 SMS, Plattsburgh AFB, NY, Atlas - 9-14 October 2018 as part of the AAFM National Meeting in Cheyenne, WY. Contact Leon Hojegian at 973-7883-5738 or [email protected]. 3901 SMES - 9-14 October 2018 as part of the AAFM National Meeting in Cheyenne, WY. Contact Cliff Dobbins at [email protected], phone 573-418-2322. SAC Airborne Command Control Association (SAC ACCA) - 12-15 September 2018, Courtyard by Marriott South- Bellevue, Bellevue, NE, contact Norma Kathman, 402-250-7065, [email protected].

Association of Air Force Missileers - 9-14 October 2018, Little America Hotel and Resort, Cheyenne, WY, details on the inside cover. AAFM Board meeting on 9 October, opening reception on 10 October.

Plan your unit reunion in conjunction with our National Meetings and let AAFM take care of all the details. Get your reunion notices in early so we can help spread the word. Keep in mind that a significant number of our members do not use Facebook or email, so include a telephone contact number in your announcement.

AAFM is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501c(3) of the IRS Code. The Newsletter is published quarterly, printed by Lakes Marketing and Printing, Spirit Lake, IA. Board of Directors - President - Gen (Ret) Lance Lord, Monument, CO Vice President - Col (Ret) Bob Mattson, Cheyenne, WY Secretary - CMSgt (Ret) Mike Kenderes, Santa Maria, CA Treasurer - CMSgt (Ret) Bob Kelchner, Torrance, CA Maj Gen (Ret) Don Alston, Cheyenne, WY CMSgt (Ret) Mark Salyards, Layton, UT CMSgt (Ret) Hank Habenick, Cottage Grove, OR Col (Ret) Randy Tymofichuk, Layton, UT Col (Ret) Tom Cullen, Colo Spgs, CO Col (Ret) Patricia Fornes, Omaha, NE Maj Gen (Ret) Bob Parker, San Antonio, TX CMSgt (Ret) Mark Silliman, Benton, LA Executive Director - Col (Ret) Charlie Simpson Next Executive Director - Col (Ret) Jim Warner Association of Air Force Missileers, PO Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-0500 afmissileers.org [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]